My haul today and questions

[Richard Steinfeld]

Today, I went to my favorite thrift shop and came home with three
printers; I could not resist for $20 US. These are:
- HP Photosmart 1115
- HP Deskjet 970CSE with duplexer
- Epson Stylus CX4800 all-in-one

I'd like to know about what I bought -- I'm not familiar with these
models. I'm going to do very little photo printing on photo paper, but a
fair amount of graphics such as color maps and lots of black text -- all
on plain paper.

Questions:
- What's the difference between this Photosmart 1115 and the Deskjet 970CSE?
What's the difference between this 970CSE and other 970 versions?
What's the difference between the 970CSE and my existing 940C (aside
from the fact that the 940C has a punier black cartridge)?

Everything that I've ever bought in this store in the past works.
-----------------------------------------
The back story:
I bought an 850C in the same store a year ago for $5. It is/was in
exceptionally good, clean condition. However, a few days ago, right
after I cleaned the rollers, the machine printed two sheets, and then
made horrible grinding noises whenever asked to print. I found a small
round nylon part jammed into the leftmost roller and a small piece of
the roller rubber broken off. Although I could probably fix it, I don't
have the parts and it would take too much time (I think). I have found
no diagrams for this machine that show the roller assembly broken out
enough to help.

My other inkjet is a 940C given to me by my ex. She's really bad with
machines, and said that "...there's something wrong with it; I can't
remember what." Two screws are missing from the case and it seems to
work fine. But I'm annoyed by the undersized black cartridge. I really
don't mind the slower speed of the 850C vs this 940C. The 850C has a
more solid feel to my experienced hands. Between these two printers, the
850C and the 940C, I already have just enough of the correct print
cartridges to begin feeding the two HPs that I bought today.

In the thrift shop, I ran self tests on both HPs, each loaded with a
single sheet of paper (a good feeding test in my experience), and they
both printed fine (and came with some ink inside themselves!). Since I'd
already found what seemed to be two good printers for $5 each, I decided
to buy the Epson all-in-one without trying it out. This uses four
individual cartridges. It came in its original packaging, which is often
a good sign of a thoughtful owner. But I have no idea of whether this is
a good product or one of those low-priced ink-"super-gotcha" models.
Arthur: what can you tell me? You're the Epson expert here (Burt?). More
of you?

In addition to these, I have the Lexmark Z65, given to me by an old
woman outside her house. The cartridges are either empty or so clogged
that they can't be revived -- thus, I can't test it. I think that I know
what y'all are going to say about this one; it got a nice review or two,
but you can't eat printer reviews any more than you can trust stereo
reviews (a subject that I know about). And people talk a lot about
Lexmarks clogging without constant use.

So, please let me hear your ideas and opinions; Thanks very much.

Richard

 

[Jan Alter]

Today, I went to my favorite thrift shop and came home with three
printers; I could not resist for $20 US. These are:
- HP Photosmart 1115
- HP Deskjet 970CSE with duplexer
- Epson Stylus CX4800 all-in-one

I'd like to know about what I bought -- I'm not familiar with these
models. I'm going to do very little photo printing on photo paper, but a
fair amount of graphics such as color maps and lots of black text -- all
on plain paper.

Questions:
- What's the difference between this Photosmart 1115 and the Deskjet
970CSE?
What's the difference between this 970CSE and other 970 versions?
What's the difference between the 970CSE and my existing 940C (aside from
the fact that the 940C has a punier black cartridge)?

Everything that I've ever bought in this store in the past works.
-----------------------------------------
The back story:
I bought an 850C in the same store a year ago for $5. It is/was in
exceptionally good, clean condition. However, a few days ago, right after
I cleaned the rollers, the machine printed two sheets, and then made
horrible grinding noises whenever asked to print. I found a small round
nylon part jammed into the leftmost roller and a small piece of the roller
rubber broken off. Although I could probably fix it, I don't have the
parts and it would take too much time (I think). I have found no diagrams
for this machine that show the roller assembly broken out enough to help.

My other inkjet is a 940C given to me by my ex. She's really bad with
machines, and said that "...there's something wrong with it; I can't
remember what." Two screws are missing from the case and it seems to work
fine. But I'm annoyed by the undersized black cartridge. I really don't
mind the slower speed of the 850C vs this 940C. The 850C has a more solid
feel to my experienced hands. Between these two printers, the 850C and the
940C, I already have just enough of the correct print cartridges to begin
feeding the two HPs that I bought today.

In the thrift shop, I ran self tests on both HPs, each loaded with a
single sheet of paper (a good feeding test in my experience), and they
both printed fine (and came with some ink inside themselves!). Since I'd
already found what seemed to be two good printers for $5 each, I decided
to buy the Epson all-in-one without trying it out. This uses four
individual cartridges. It came in its original packaging, which is often a
good sign of a thoughtful owner. But I have no idea of whether this is a
good product or one of those low-priced ink-"super-gotcha" models. Arthur:
what can you tell me? You're the Epson expert here (Burt?). More of you?

In addition to these, I have the Lexmark Z65, given to me by an old woman
outside her house. The cartridges are either empty or so clogged that they
can't be revived -- thus, I can't test it. I think that I know what y'all
are going to say about this one; it got a nice review or two, but you
can't eat printer reviews any more than you can trust stereo reviews (a
subject that I know about). And people talk a lot about Lexmarks clogging
without constant use.

So, please let me hear your ideas and opinions; Thanks very much.

Richard

Hi Richard,
At the Epson website there's a cute video to give you a quick rundown
(hope that word isn't prophetic) of what the CX4800 can accomplish.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?oid=56291067

Fortunately it's using Durabrite Ultra ink, which apparently has less
tendency to clog than its predecessor product ink. However, I would try
printing with the machine right away to avoid a clog or find out if you have
one.
One thing I found out with a search is that it uses a very popular
cartridge size from Epson that is used in various machines such as the
R1800, C88, among half a dozen others. If you were interested you could
purchase spongeless cartridges, bulk ink, and a chip resetter to save
yourself a bundle of money. I've been using the spongeless cartridges on ten
C84 printers at school now for about a year and a half with no problems,
easy refilling, and a lot of satisfaction.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Fortunately it's using Durabrite Ultra ink, which apparently has less
tendency to clog than its predecessor product ink. However, I would try
printing with the machine right away to avoid a clog or find out if you have
one.
One thing I found out with a search is that it uses a very popular
cartridge size from Epson that is used in various machines such as the
R1800, C88, among half a dozen others. If you were interested you could
purchase spongeless cartridges, bulk ink, and a chip resetter to save
yourself a bundle of money. I've been using the spongeless cartridges on ten
C84 printers at school now for about a year and a half with no problems,
easy refilling, and a lot of satisfaction.

Thanks for the rundown, Jan.

Now I have another question: Where can I buy the spongeless cartridges
(I'm in California)?

Richard

 

[measekite]

Thanks for the rundown, Jan.

Now I have another question: Where can I buy the spongeless cartridges
(I'm in California)?

Richard

How about Sponge Bob

 

[Jan Alter]

Try MIS at www.inksupply.com

They carry the spongeless cartridges and good quality ink as well.

 

[pheeh.zero]

<How about Sponge Bob>

Sponge-less! get a grip!

I don't deal with Inksupply...they didn't stand-by their guarantee and
gave me the run-a-round when they 1st got into compatibles.

 

[Bob Headrick]

Today, I went to my favorite thrift shop and came home with three
printers; I could not resist for $20 US. These are:
- HP Photosmart 1115
- HP Deskjet 970CSE with duplexer
- Epson Stylus CX4800 all-in-one

I'd like to know about what I bought -- I'm not familiar with these
models. I'm going to do very little photo printing on photo paper, but a
fair amount of graphics such as color maps and lots of black text

Nice deal! The Deskjet 970Cse is similar to your 940, except it will take
either the small #15 cartridge or the more reasonable #45. It is faster
than the 940. The duplexer will work on the 970, 940 or Photosmart 1115.
The Photosmart 1115 is basically a 970 with card slots. The print quality
for either of these will be very similar to your existing 940, but both the
970 and Photosmart 1115 will be faster than your current 940. The Cse
designation was just a difference in what outlets the printer was originally
sold in, the printer is the same as other 970 models.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Perfect, Bob -- exactly what I needed to know. You know, with your
knowledge of printers, you might get hired at Hewlett-Packard.

Richard

 

[Bob Headrick]

Perfect, Bob -- exactly what I needed to know. You know, with your
knowledge of printers, you might get hired at Hewlett-Packard.

Not likely - I worked there for close to 30 years (a dozen or so in inkjet
systems) and retired a couple of years ago. I'm not looking for a job .

- Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[measekite]

Try MIS at www.inksupply.com

They carry the spongeless cartridges and good quality ink as well.

You can't say that for sure. You do not know who the mfg/formulator
is. You do not know when they change their supplier. You only think
you know what you got as of the last shipment. And you do not value
longevity of the print. And the relabeler will not tell you.

 

[measekite]

All of the relabelers gave me the run around ie Runaround Sue, when I
spoke about relabeled ink.

 

[measekite]

Nice deal! The Deskjet 970Cse is similar to your 940,

and not as good as the 990Cse

except it will take either the small #15 cartridge or the more
reasonable #45. It is faster than the 940. The duplexer will work on
the 970, 940 or Photosmart 1115. The Photosmart 1115 is basically a
970 with card slots. The print quality for either of these will be
very similar to your existing 940, but both the 970 and Photosmart
1115 will be faster than your current 940. The Cse designation was
just a difference in what outlets the printer was originally sold in,
the printer is the same as other 970 models.

The real designation of the Cse was a representation of what software
the printer was packaged with and not so much outlet dependent.

 

[measekite]

Not likely - I worked there for close to 30 years (a dozen or so in
inkjet systems) and retired a couple of years ago. I'm not looking
for a job .

You should be forthcoming and disclose that when you give advice.

 

[Frank]

You should be forthcoming and disclose that when you give advice.

He does and always has been you idiot!
You're really and truly one dumb moron aren't you?
How did you ever figure out how to turn on a computer let along get on
the Internet?
Oh, I know...your mom did it for you in the basement, right?
Frank

 

[Nicolaas Hawkins]

You should be forthcoming and disclose that when you give advice.

WHAT ABSOLUTE BLOODY BOLLOCKS!

The gentleman has retired. To explain, for the benefit of the terminally
slow-witted, that means he no longer works for them, and there is nothing
that requires disclosure, dildo-brain. The only relevance now is the
assurance that, because of his years of PROFESSIONAL experience - of which
he quite justfiably makes no secret - he, unlike you, very well knows
whereof he speaks, and he enoys a credibility you could not ever even
aspire to.

Furthermore, he usually only speaks because he has somethng to say,
whereas you speak because you have to say something Anything.

 

[GMAN]

You should be forthcoming and disclose that when you give advice.

Why? He has long since retired and doesnt represent them in any way. He is
long past the non-disclosure period.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Regarding the Epson CX4800, this is a relatively problematic printer.
It uses Durabrite inks which are pigment colorant, fast drying, and
often fast clogging.

Also, it may already be clogged. If so, get a copy of my Epson Cleaning
Manual if you don't already.

As Jan probably will suggest, consider running dye inks from 3rd party
vendor for this printer to lessen the risk of clogs once you get it
going. The Epson inks use a chip, which needs to be reset to get them
to work after refill.

Art

 

[Jan Alter]

Regarding the Epson CX4800, this is a relatively problematic printer. It
uses Durabrite inks which are pigment colorant, fast drying, and often
fast clogging.

Also, it may already be clogged. If so, get a copy of my Epson Cleaning
Manual if you don't already.

As Jan probably will suggest, consider running dye inks from 3rd party
vendor for this printer to lessen the risk of clogs once you get it going.
The Epson inks use a chip, which needs to be reset to get them to work
after refill.

Art

Well, I might have mentioned using dye base ink but the CX4800 is using
DuraBite-Ultra, the newer formulation ink recipe, and I haven't heard of a
plethora of folks complaining yet of head clogs using this stuff. Maybe you
have Art. If so, I'd appreciate hearing what you know.
Certainly the dye-base ink would lesson that probability rather than
using the OEM pigment that it natively uses, but then the printer loses its
fading and water resistant capabilities to a greater degree with the dye
base ink.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Why? He has long since retired and doesnt represent them in any way. He is
long past the non-disclosure period.

That's why HP needs Bob so badly. He can be our ambassador to HP,
carrying our common sense back from the real world to the Powers That
Be. We can teach them a thing or two.

I once found a Hewlett-Packard printer demo truck outside the large
corporation I was contracting to. This gave me the rare opportunity to
enter the van and have a tantrum at the folks working therein. The topic
of my rant was, like, "How do you expect me to buy your products when
you price them to be unaffordable? And, like, how come your photo paper
is priced higher than real photo paper when real photo paper contains
silver, and yours doesn't? Like what's up with that? Your stuff's not
worth the money -- why should I buy it?" (The truck people nodded in
agreement!)

So, Bob, they didn't listen to me -- maybe they'll listen to you.

Richard

 

[measekite]

That's why HP needs Bob so badly. He can be our ambassador to HP,
carrying our common sense back from the real world to the Powers That
Be. We can teach them a thing or two.

I once found a Hewlett-Packard printer demo truck outside the large
corporation I was contracting to. This gave me the rare opportunity to
enter the van and have a tantrum at the folks working therein. The
topic of my rant was, like, "How do you expect me to buy your products
when you price them to be unaffordable? And, like, how come your photo
paper is priced higher than real photo paper when real photo paper
contains silver, and yours doesn't? Like what's up with that? Your
stuff's not worth the money -- why should I buy it?" (The truck people
nodded in agreement!)

So, Bob, they didn't listen to me -- maybe they'll listen to you.

Richard

Well if that is the way you feel then buy a case of feathers and use
some kind of stain.